$100,000 reward to find suspect in LAUSD officer shooting

A $100,000 reward is being offered to find the gunman who shot an LAUSD police officer near El Camino Real High School, resulting in a five-hour lockdown of schools in a seven-square-mile area of Woodland Hills.

The Los Angeles City Council authorized a $75,000 reward and other contributions drove it up to $100,000, Councilman Dennis Zine said Friday.

"The uniform of the school police is nearly identical to that of LAPD," Zine said. "In this region, whether they are LAPD or school police, it represents law enforcement. When somebody shoots an officer, it is something we need to take very seriously."

Los Angeles Unified Police Officer Jeffrey Stenroos was on patrol Wednesday when he was asked by a passer-by to investigate a man apparently trying to break into a car along Burbank Boulevard.

When Stenroos approached, the man - described as white and in his 40s, with a long gray hair ponytail - turned and shot him in the chest, officials said. Stenroos was wearing a bulletproof vest but suffered bruising and was knocked down and hit his head.

As the gunman fled, passer-by Michael Brodey took Stenroos' radio and called in for help.

LAPD Deputy Chief David Doan said authorities believe the suspect is known by someone in the community and that any information would be helpful.

Tips can be called in at 877-LAPD-247.

Assistant LAUSD Police Chief Jose Santome thanked the council for the reward.

"It takes an exceptional person to be a police officer and add in the layer of dealing with kids," Santome said.

The reward fund includes the city contribution as well as $5,000 each from the LAUSD Police Association, Los Angeles Police Protective League and the Retired Los Angeles Police and Fire Association, Zine said.

Also, the 99 Cents store is offering to add $9,999.99 to the fund. Zine said he would add the final cent to bring it to $10,000.

City Attorney Carmen Trutanich, responding to parents' concerns that schools had differing procedures for lockdowns, said he was renewing his efforts to get a new law requiring that emergency plans be in place.

Trutanich had offered state legislation last year, AB 2501, that would allow prosecutors to make sure schools had disaster plans and they were being followed.

The measure was never acted on and Trutanich said he is looking for a new sponsor.

Trutanich said he became concerned with reports that 32 percent of middle schools and 37 percent of high schools had no safety plans.